Surfacing the voices of the other: female entrepreneurs in Manila

Abstract

A distinct demarcation between conventional opportunity entrepreneurs and variously defined necessity entrepreneurs exists in the developmental entrepreneurship literature. We argue that these distinctions are problematic and have the potential to limit necessity entrepreneurs through policy and practice aimed at those who are most often constructed as perpetually poor, unwilling, and poor contributors to development. Further, this study demonstrates that this discursively created necessity entrepreneur is not reflected in the constructions of the entrepreneurial selves of Filipino women entrepreneurs. Their reasons for entering entrepreneurship are fluid and complex, and include reasons normally reserved for opportunity entrepreneurs, such as pursuing perceived opportunities, resistance to harsh social and economic conditions, and a desire to contribute to economic and social development. The findings speak to the need to challenge taken for granted assumptions and to be mindful of the roles of power and privilege in everyday assumptions.